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Agenda item

Playing Pitch Strategy

Purpose

To consider the findings and recommendations proposed by consultants commissioned to develop a Playing Pitch Strategy for the District and to approve the Strategy.

 

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

  1. Endorse the findings of the consultants and approve the Playing Pitch Strategy, including the key recommendations and site specific action plan;
  2. Authorise officers to work in partnership with other organisations to establish the feasibility and funding sources for the projects identified within the strategy and to prepare business cases, where opportunities arise, and bring them forward for consideration;
  3. Note that the resources needed to develop these partnerships and implement the action plan will be met from existing resources by reprioritising existing work.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Dale left the meeting before this item started.

 

The purpose of this report was to consider the findings and recommendations proposed by consultants commissioned to develop a Playing Pitch Strategy for the District and to approve the Strategy.

 

The Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Hodgkinson, introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

 

  • The report covered sports that were played on pitches in the winter (football, rugby, rugby league and hockey) and summer sports of cricket and polo.
  • It was noted that this report was a refresh which usually takes place every 3 years.
  • It was noted that the strategy was required to form part of the Local Plan to account for land use to meet current and future needs.
  • It was highlighted that at present there were sufficient pitches to meet demands across most sports, but that population growth might change this.
  • It was noted that the Council would collaborate with local organisations such as sports clubs and Town and Parish Councils to deliver on the action plan.
  • The Member thanked the officers and the consultants for their work.

 

 

The Overview & Scrutiny recommendations were then examined in addition to the responses published in the agenda supplement:

 

  • Recommendation 1 on the safety of 3G pitches – It was noted that only a part of the pitch would be affected, but that officers were consulting with Sport England on this. 
  • Recommendation 2 on bowling greens – It was noted that bowling was not considered a pitch sport and not part of the strategy. However, officers would consider other sports and whether they could be considered separately outside of the strategy.
  • Recommendation 3 on the Steadings development – It was noted that the pitches had not been created yet within the development but would be added in the monitoring phase.
  • Recommendation 4 on the use of Community Infrastructure Levy monies to fund sports facilities – It was outlined that Community Infrastructure Levy funding could be considered and that there were options for the Council and Town and Parish Councils.
  • Recommendation 5 on encouraging volunteers to support sports clubs - It was outlined that officers would work with stakeholders to encourage volunteers. 

 

There was a question about accessibility for individuals with disabilities and sports that cover all genders.

 

It was noted that the strategy was meant to include sports for all genders and that the Cabinet Member would ask officers consider the issue of accessibility for sports. It was highlighted that this would also be considered when those stakeholders were promoting sports.

 

Councillor Hodgkinson proposed the recommendations and Councillor Bloomer seconded.

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

 

1. ENDORSED the findings of the consultants and approve the Playing Pitch Strategy, including the key recommendations and site specific action plan;

2. AGREED TO AUTHORISE officers to work in partnership with other organisations to establish the feasibility and funding sources for the projects identified within the strategy and to prepare business cases, where opportunities arise, and bring them forward for consideration;

3. NOTED that the resources needed to develop these partnerships and implement the action plan will be met from existing resources by reprioritising existing work.

 

 

Voting Record

 

4 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention, 4 Absent

 

Supporting documents:

 

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